Tuesday, January 22, 2008

This week, Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit based in North Carolina and one battalion of the 7th Marine Regiment in 29 Palms, California, were given a pre-deployment warning order for movement to Afghanistan. Speculation has arisen concerning the political and military ramifications of such a deployment, as NATO forces in Afghanistan prepare for an anticipated spring offensive by the Taliban. Such staunch allies as Great Britain, Poland and the Netherlands have stretched their forces and their political capital to maintain current levels of support. Others such as Italy, Spain and Turkey are finding it more difficult to maintain even current troop levels, much less increase support, as the war continues. Turkey finds itself engaged with insurgents from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) on its border with Iraq and may be seeking U.S. commitments in that fight before expanding any role in Afghanistan.

Still, there is room for optimism. Marines have a habit of shooting back when attacked and a reputation of aggressively pursuing their enemies. Such offense-minded operations may be just the ticket to throw the Taliban off the offensive and put them back on the run.

Furthermore, Pakistan is warming to the idea of a more active U.S. role in hunting down the Taliban in northwest Pakistan. Perhaps the increased violence in the country, including the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, has convinced the Pakistanis that turning a blind eye to terrorists isn’t such a good idea after all.